King's Cross and Camden Lock

On a recent family day out in London we decided to spend a little time in the King's Cross and Camden Lock area of
our great capital city. We try and get down to the ol' smoke every few months, and see something
different each time. In the past we've frequented the Science Museum, Natural History Museum, the
London Eye,
walked over the 02 arena,
gone up The Shard, and a couple
of weeks ago, went to the Imperial War Museum. This time round a trip to see the "Railway Children" was on the cards - and as this takes
place behind King's Cross station, it seemed an ideal opportunity to explore the area.

King's Cross

King's Cross is certainly having a lot of money spent on it - the whole area has been cleaned up a treat. With offices and new apartment blocks
springing up all over the place. There are a couple of viewing platforms around King's Cross - one near the station and the other near
the swimming pond - which allow you to see the work going on, and the surrounding area. On a hot day the fountains are a good place to stop for a cup of tea,
and the children can splash around in the fountains.

Ideal on a hot day - the fountains at King's Cross

Or sit on the astroturfed steps looking out to the canal. A 5 minute walk takes you to the
natural swimming pond, a combination
of swimming pool and pond - a unique way to spend an hour in King's Cross.

The photo below was taken from the "viewing platform". One tip though, it's best to book a swimming session before you turn up - as the
pool can get full.

The natural swimming pond at King's Cross - an oasis in the heart of urban King's Cross

Next to the pond is the
Skip Garden, a little garden oasis amongst the building
projects going. The name comes from the garden being made up, er, skips. It does what it says on the tin!

Not just a building site - in the middle of this urban regeneration we have the King's Cross Skip Garden

King's Cross to Camden Lock

Camden Lock is around 1½ miles from King's Cross, with the canal's tow path making a superb route to get to this mecca
of multi-cultural delights. You can walk along the tow path, or, as I did, hire a Santander Cycle to ride along the path
(The cycle dock at Crinan Street is the best option; you can push the bike for 30 seconds up the road to get to the tow path - so no road cycling is
necessary!). Walking/cycling along the tow path gives you a different perspective on London. Whereas the roads and paths seem to be
frantic, the tow path is a drop of serenity.

Just seconds from the throng of King's Cross, the tow path on Regents Canal

Camden Lock

When you arrive at Camden Lock, the serenity of the tow path well and truly ends. Camden Lock is heaving. (For those with a Santander Cycle, head towards
the "Camden Lock" sign - as seen on the photo below, and take a right into Castlehaven Road).

When you see this, you know you've arrived at Camden Lock

You can head up the high street and visit the clothes/souvenir shops along the way. Don't forget to look up at the
buildings too, there is some quite spectacular art work to be seen. I particularly liked the aeroplane hanging
vertically from one of the shops.

Look up at the shops on Camden High Street - particularly this one with a plane

The street market next to the canal has to be seen to be believed! This miss-mash of cultures offers
food, sights and smells from all over the globe - and is the place to head for a range street food. Whether
you're after a sit down and a go on a Shisha pipe; some American street food; or some Chinese food, there's something here for you.

Brave the hustle and bustle of Camden street market

Once you've decided on the part of the world you'd like to dine from, the best thing to do is head back to the canal area to sit and consume your chosen meal.
Walking a minute up the canal gives you a break from the crowds, and a place to sit for a while.

A little peace & quiet next to Camden Lock - and an ideal place to eat your lunch from Camden street market

Hiring a cycle

I mentioned the Santander Cycles; they used to called Barclays Bikes - or
known as Boris Bikes. These bikes make a great way of getting around, and
they aren't expensive to use. Pay £2 for a 24 access period, and you can use the bikes for 30 minute periods
as often as you like. For example, I took a bike from Crinan Street in King's Cross to Castlehaven Road in Camden Lock -
a 20 minute ride. Docked the bike and spend a couple of hours looking around Camden Lock. I then got another bike from
Castlehaven Road back to Crinan Street. The total cost was Pay £2. Now that is a good deal!

If the thought of a villa holiday sounds good - but you've got children in tow, have a look at villa resorts which combine the advantages of having your own villa with the advantages of a resort's facilities.

Find a selection of holiday cottage in Beccles, Suffolk. The cottages of Riverside House, Butterfield House, Northgate Bakery, Honeysuckle Cottage and Burnt Hill House all have a video showing their location in Beccles.

Try a villa holiday in Europe and the Mediterranean during March, April and May. James Villas Spring Holidays is the place to look - and if you get in early enough you could get a bargain in the James Villa Holidays Half Price Sale.

Located next to the beach and surrounded by the Lagoa dos Salgados Lagoon and nature reserve, Vidamar Algarve Resort is a villa resort with holiday villas sleeping between 4 and 8 people. All villas at Vidamar Algarve Resort have their own pool.

A fabulous day out, the Falkirk Wheel links the Union Canal with the Forth and Clyde Canal. You have a variety of attractions at the Falkirk Wheel, including an Archimedes Screw, hire a cycle, paddle boats, or just a nice walk.

See the sights from the top of the Nevis Range in Scotland. Take a gondola up the mountain, and get some views from the Sgurr Finnisg-aig view point. You can always cycle down too - or take the cable car back down again.